Michael Clarke 329* (39 fours, 1 six, 609 minutes), Michael Hussey 150*, Ricky Ponting 134.
Michael Clarke has just scored a triple century at the SCG, the highest ever individual Test score at the SCG!
Stats: 303* runs, 432 balls faced, 571 minutes, 37 fours, 1 six, 69.81 Strike-rate.
A most deserved massive achievement for our Skipper.
Congratulations Michael Clarke from myself and of course my mates here at the Baggy Green Blog.
This has been one of the most fluent innings I've ever seen and not only was day 2 a day of Test cricket you should make sure you never forget but equally this achievement for the Skipper. Yes!
Earlier Michael Hussey brought up his 16th Test century and joins Ricky Ponting who was the other centurion scoring his 40th Test century, a long awaited one for the Maestro (read day 2 article for that).
Huss just came out and immediately made his intentions clear to attack and after his 89 at the MCG, this was coming his way. Confidence returns for the seniors for the summer, so stoked!
Not sure when the declaration will come but this has just been very, very special...VVS SCG...Test 2012.
The lead is now 411 runs.
Three centurions for the innings in the 100th Test at the SCG, along with Peter Siddle's 100th Test wicket.
Awesome photo taken of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke after their monstrous partnership of 288 runs.
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9 COMMENTS:
Superb Knock from Clarkey, absolutely brilliant. Loved the declaration as well. Shows he isn't in it for personal milestones but to have a win for the team. We are in a good position and could have the game over by tomorrow. Hopefully some early wickets tomorrow.
Clarke. An absolute gentleman of the game. Disdaining the 6 runs needed for his personal target, and even the 5 runs for the arrogance and glory of matching Bradman & Taylor. Saw Hussey to his 150 and declared. That is a captains knock. That is setting the game up for the team and then ensuring there is the time left for victory.
Nothing more to say about today, today is Clarke, and, as he would want, the Australian team's victory.
Well said guys.
Instead of writing an article on the days play I saw this as fitting. Just highlighting the moment he raised his arms for this career defining achievement.
Michael John Clarke, you're a true leader.
On Twitter I got a bit of flack (in a funny way) for suggesting Clarkey look to declare before the close of play to have a good bowl at the Indians.
I know these blokes train so damn hard and are learning HOW to win games with consistency so I expected Michael to look to do it putting the team first.
This is a period that's about the team and not personal records.
A triple century is the greatest achievement for a batsman, it truely is, Clarkey did it!
What was left was nothing more than just knocking off a few records, totally deserved for Clarkey but it becomes outside of what is best for the team.
Everyone says there's time but I don't think many realise that this is not going to be a walk in the park but time is the key.
This is an Indian team boasting depth and some of the best batsmen, despite their current issues.
They can turn shit around in a flash and Haddin's drop catch could prove costly, that really was devastating as I reckon the guys would have just come out all guns blazing tomorrow...now they'll have just a bit of extra pressure on them...which is what Hilfy and JP built up so well to create that spilled chance.
That is also something we've missed in our bowling for a long time.
Also with Tendulkar out there chasing his very own milestone (a personal thing) he has extra ambition now to do so.
I want Sachin to get his 100th International century, but I am vocal in saying I don't want him to do it now simply because there may be rain delays on day 4 and put it together, if Clarke could graft for so long (in an extraordinary performance) what's to say Sachin and co couldn't find some magic? He's done it before.
The boys want to win this game, they want to win the series and as a supporter that's what I want to see. Sachin has a full ODI series ahead (against Sri Lanka as well I might add) and two Tests where hopefully we could have sealed the deal. He would also be able to relax with that century out the way, he must be frustrated by the media hype.
Time is on our side and I have FULL confidence in our bowling unit. Michael's declaration was spot on and is a testament to his character.
We won't forget his performance along with Punter and Huss' centuries but I want to remember this Test as a victory for a team in a crazy rebuilding stage.
Come on Baggy Greens!
I have never doubted Clarke, always been my favourite player since I first saw him slapping them over point an cover for NSW in a domestic one day game. He will be a better captain and player then a lot of people think.
I was at the ground for the 3rd day and most of the crowd hadnt relised he had declared until he as almost off the field, which is a bit of a shame because he didnt get the full, long ovation he deserved.
First of all i would like to congragulate Clarke for his Magnificent innings. It was truly a flawless innings under pressure.He seems to come of age as a batsman. I was expecting him to break Lara's record. It was once in a life time opportuntiy for him but he showed complete disregard for personal milestones and what mattered to him was the victory. This is the hallmark of a true leader. I am an Indian and i am absolutely blown away by his gesture. My respect for him has grown ten fold.
Yeah ... great day to be an Aussie. Well done Huss - great to see him get the reward he deserved with a chanceless 150. Not much more to be said regarding M Clarke .. amazing, brilliant, inspirational. His captaincy takes off from here with the full support of all Aussie cricket lovers. It's taken him some time to get everyone on side, but sheer brilliance has carried him thru.
On a less positive note:
It's gotta be said .... Brad Haddin ... too many byes, and the dropped catches are way way too frequent.I'm not sure if it's time to drop him, but it's time to give it very very serious thought.
VICTORY!!!
What a Test match.
India fought back well in the 2nd innings but 1st innings let them down and of course the dominance of our middle order.
So proud of Hilfy today.
Coming back from injury after being dropped (something most has escaped) he has delivered.
@Peter on the Haddin note.
That catch Hads "dropped" was quite worrying. He didn't need to dive. It was just a horrible misjudgement that shouldn't be made. Luckily was done on day 3 so there was time to recover.
However he averaged 20 runs in Tests for 2011 and his standards aren't elite anymore.
Spare a thought for him cause he must feel so low but Matt Wade is the bloke to call to order.
Can't wait on Tim Paine and sure, Hads may come around, Hads may find confidence but it may b at an expense.
Gilly retired when he realised his standards were slipping.
This bowling trio have developed a good partnership as they can all maintain pressure...and Clarkey knows how to use them.
Thanks for your comments throughout the Test.
A win or a draw in one of the next two will secure the series.
Match article up later in 2 or 3 hours time hopefully.
Huge congrats to Pup, when I looked at his record and even the record of most of our batsmen bar Ponting, the 200 was clearly missing. We can skip that as now he is the highest scorer in the side. I was a bit disappointed he didn't try for the WR but that's more because I love bragging about WR by Aussies.
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